Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne is set to receive one of music’s highest honours posthumously at the BRIT Awards 2026, with a star-studded tribute planned in his memory at the ceremony on Saturday, 28 February 2026. The award and tribute celebrate Ozzy’s monumental impact on rock music as both a founding member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist with a career spanning more than five decades.
The BRITs — one of the UK’s most prestigious music awards — are being held this year for the first time outside London, taking place at Co-op Live in Manchester, and will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX, with clips shared to YouTube for international viewers.
Ozzy will be recognised with the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring his role as a pioneering figure in heavy metal and rock. Organisers describe him as the “godfather” of British heavy metal, whose unmistakable voice and stage presence reshaped rock and inspired generations worldwide.
The ceremony’s closing performance will be a specially arranged tribute to Ozzy’s 1991 solo hit “No More Tears,” curated by his widow and longtime manager Sharon Osbourne. The tribute band includes musicians who played with Ozzy over the years: keyboardist Adam Wakeman, drummer Tommy Clufetos, guitarist Zakk Wylde, and Robert Trujillo from Metallica. Pop icon Robbie Williams will front the performance after being personally invited by Sharon to take part in the tribute.
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, said Ozzy’s influence was “transformative,” reshaping rock’s sound and spirit and connecting with fans all over the world.
Ozzy’s career began as the lead singer of Black Sabbath in 1968, helping define heavy metal with classics like Paranoid, Iron Man and Children of the Grave. Over more than five decades, he was part of over 100 million worldwide album sales, including 19 studio albums and eight live albums with Black Sabbath plus 13 solo studio albums featuring hits like Bark at the Moon, Crazy Train and No More Tears.
Beyond his music, Ozzy helped launch Ozzfest, a touring festival that became a major platform for heavy music acts. He also earned numerous honours, including five Grammy Awards, inductions into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame, and the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Ozzy had previously appeared at the BRITs as a host; in 2008, he co-hosted the awards with Sharon and their children.
Ozzy passed away on 22 July 2025 at the age of 76, just weeks after performing what was billed as his final concert during the Back to the Beginning benefit show in Birmingham, where Black Sabbath reunited with former bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.
The BRIT Awards 2026 Ceremony
In addition to Ozzy’s tribute, the BRITs will feature performances from artists like Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Raye, Wolf Alice, Sombr, and others. Awards such as Critics’ Choice, Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year will also be presented.
The live ceremony reflects both a celebration of Ozzy’s unparalleled contribution and a gathering of today’s top artists, placing his legacy front and centre on one of music’s biggest stages.
